It may not boast gilt engravings.  It may also seem pale in comparison to the more colorful Ottoman mosques, but the mosque of Ibn Tulun parallels no other Egyptian mosque with its understated elegance and design.

The third-oldest mosque in Egypt, Ibn Tulun was recently restored by the Supreme Council of Antiquities.  The four-year process cost LE 13 million, and resulted in a complete facelift to the ageless mosque.  In many areas, plaster has replaced the original stonework, smoothing out the surfaces; ridding the architectural masterpiece of the cracks of old age.  This, fortunately, has in no way affected the feeling of tranquility visitors instantly experience upon stepping into the mosque.  Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city and entering into the welcoming premises of this mosque, visitors may feel as if they have left their daily troubles behind.  This is not surprising, since the presence of silence is so complete, it can actually be heard.  It equals no other experience in our otherwise noisy city.

This feeling of tranquility and well-being exuded by the mosque is what probably led Sultan Ladjin to take refuge in it during the 13th century.  Upon leaving the mosque, he vowed to restore it, adding an ablution fountain in the central courtyard.  The fountain once shone in gold and marble and originally had a sundial that was used by the muezzin to call for prayers...

[More]   Egypt Today, Egypt, Volume 26 Issue 01, January 2005.

President Hosni Mubarak praised the projects of restoration works to salvage a host of archaeological temples and tombs, said Farouk Hosni Minister of Culture. Hosni said restoration works are underway in 150 Islamic monuments inside Old Cairo, in addition to 22 others scheduled to finish in July 2005.

Several rejuvenation projects undertaken by the Ministry's Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA) will be inaugurated by the end of this year, including the temples of Al-Sibou'a Wa Omda in Aswan at a total cost of L.E. 10 million, he said.

Hosni noted that another L.E. 10 million will be appropriated to build a road linking these temples with those of Abu Simbel in tandem with the ministry of transport.

[More], Egypt State Information Service, Egypt, January 11, 2005.

Drop the Mummy, and Nobody Gets Hurt.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, Egypt's most publicized Egyptologist and the secretary general of the Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA), is renowned for the number of controversies he can stir.  Brushing the controversies aside as nuisances "begun by backward people who are jealous," as he told Egypt Today, Dr. Hawass keeps on working regardless of any setbacks.

Last month, in the midst of the controversy around the removal of King Tut-Ankh-Amon's mummy from its resting place in Luxor, Hawass went to the Bahareya Oasis.  Egyptians and Brits watched a live coverage transmitted by the television cameras of both countries as Hawass, holding his axe, opened a newly discovered tomb.  "We had made a number of discoveries here years ago, but in 2002, I had decided to stop all work.  We had found 234 mummies, which is quite enough.  The Valley [of the Golden Mummies] is huge, and encompasses around 10,000 mummies.  It is Egypt's biggest burial area, and was used by Egyptians from all classes.  I believe mummies should remain underground.  But then I decided to start work again," Hawass says...

[More]  Egypt Today, Egypt, Volume 26 Issue 01, January 2005.

The world is again being invited to watch [John Hopkins University] archaeologists uncover clues to ancient Egyptian life by visiting "Hopkins in Egypt Today," a Web site chronicling the university's fifth annual dig at the Mut Temple.  Daily progress reports are anticipated from Jan. 15 through mid-February at www.jhu.edu/~neareast/egypttoday.html.

The project -- the university's 12th in Egypt -- is led by Betsy Bryan, Alexander Badawy Professor of Egyptian Art and Archaeology and chair of the Near Eastern Studies Department in the Krieger School, and this year's postings will follow the work of at least four projects.  Jay VanRenssalaer of Homewood Photographic Services will supply the images; Bryan and her graduate students, the copy...

[More]  John Hopkins Gazette, John Hopkins University, Maryland , USA, Vol. 34 No. 17, January 10, 2005.